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Dave McKenna: Nobody Else But Me & I'm Old Fashioned. More McKenna videos at YouTube.

Jazz piano master and Woonsocket native Dave McKenna died Saturday morning in State College, Pa. (near his son Steve) of lung cancer. He was 78.

The Providence Journal / William K. Daby
In 1999, Dave McKenna, accompanied by fellow Rhode Island native Scott Hamilton, left, on saxophone, gave a master class at South Kingstown High School.

From All About Jazz,

Dave began his career with Boots Mussulli Band, then left home to play with the Charlie Ventura band, followed by a stint with Woody Herman. After two years in the army, he returned to Charlie Ventura's band, then worked with Gene Krupa, Stan Getz, and Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. He often worked with Bobby Hackett, including some gigs at Eddie Condon's in Manhattan, playing what Hackett called "Whiskeyland Jazz." Among Dave's biggest influences was Nat King Cole, who remains one of his favorites to this day.

While working with Bobby Hackett, Dave discovered the pleasures of Cape Cod. He and his wife Frankie moved to the Cape in 1966 with their sons Stephen and Douglas. The move changed his career as well as his address - he worked less frequently with bands and more often as a solo pianist, but he still spent a great deal of time on the road.

Dave's musical magic found a wider audience through recordings, from his first solo recording on ABC records in 1955 to his wonderful work in the 70s for Chiaroscuro Records and then for Concord Jazz. In the 1980s, Dave's many fans could enjoy his magnificent medleys 6 nights a week at the Plaza Bar at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston, where he was pianist-in-residence.

Here's his NYT obit: Dave McKenna, Pianist Known for Solo Jazz Work, Dies at 78

Aaron Gouveia of the Cape Cod Times writes a warm appreciation: Master jazz pianist who loved Cape dies

Dave McKenna's site

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1 Comments

Janice B. Tehie said:

I worked as a home caregiver aide for Home Instead Senior Care in State College PA and Dave McKenna was one of the persons I helped. He was a dear, dear man; very warm, loving and caring and I will always cherish the memories of the time I spent with him. He made me feel very welcome and was always great to be around. I had to stop working for the agency when my own dad, who will be 92 on Dec 11, 2008, became sick himself, and I knew Dave was ill with lung cancer. I had been always meaning to stop by and see him, but never "got around to it", something I'll regret for the rest of my life. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family.
Janice B. Tehie
State College, PA

Link | November 22, 2008 11:34 AM
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